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How much rent can I afford on £26k?

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  • GaleSF63
    GaleSF63 Posts: 1,541 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Sofas turn up on Freecycle frequently - I would say they are one of the most common articles to come up round here. Small electrical stuff can be bought cheaply at the large supermarkets and places like Wilkos. Some will also be found on Freecycle - I got a lovely vacuum cleaner that way!

    If you take the plunge, it might seem like a money-pit at first but much of it will be one-offs. 

    Good luck!
  • london21
    london21 Posts: 2,142 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Seems doable but be mindful that it might be a squeeze and you do not want to put yourself in a situation where you have to borrow unsecured high interest loan/overdraft.

    Maybe In the next few montths if you can get a higher paying role after completing your masters.
  • GaleSF63 said:
    Sofas turn up on Freecycle frequently - I would say they are one of the most common articles to come up round here. Small electrical stuff can be bought cheaply at the large supermarkets and places like Wilkos. Some will also be found on Freecycle - I got a lovely vacuum cleaner that way!

    If you take the plunge, it might seem like a money-pit at first but much of it will be one-offs. 

    Good luck!
    Would agree on the glut of sofas! Maybe a lot of people buying new ones? 

    Facebook marketplace can also have some good deals/free stuff.

    Local charity shops (especially furniture charity shops) are also a good cheap source of useful household items.  
  • theoretica
    theoretica Posts: 12,691 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Do check up on the flat, or the sort of flats, you are looking to rent before you start acquiring things.  Some come with most of what you need and just strange odd lacks like no can opener or bookshelf.
    For cooking for one, I found a number of plastic tubs really useful - and cooking more than one meal's worth at once and then boxing it up to reheat later so no need for takeaways.

    But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,
    Had the whole of their cash in his care.
    Lewis Carroll
  • Go for it, sounds like you have everything covered, you can pick up pretty cheap appliances these days.  Do you need the car if you are WFH and living in the city centre?  Could you get public transport to visit family.

    Good luck, I am sure you will love it
    Thanks! My boyfriend lives in a village with no public transport and I may have to commute in occasionally but with where my job is in NW London, it would take too long to get the train in. Also I’m looking at moving jobs within the next year and want to make sure I’m eligible for those which require a car to commute to different sites. But yeah I can see how my car is a luxury that I could get rid of. 
  • zagubov
    zagubov Posts: 17,937 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 28 July 2021 at 1:08AM
    Someone listed the kind of things you may end up needing in your own home. It went on for pages and you'd prbably a;llready have them all or expect them to be supplied.
    It went something like this:

    Documents (real or virtual)

    Passport Photos (at least four, and keep some on you). Also scan some on to your computer to get quick reproductions for less (especially for ID that doesn't really matter)
    Passport
    Driving Licence
    -
    National Insurance Number
    NHS Medical Card
    Details of your vaccination history
    -Don't need anymore they'll transfer your details
    Insurance Documents
    TV Licence-if needed
    Support Notification
    Any Information from your LEA, the SLC (
    Student Loans Company) or Student Finance Direct
    Any Documents regarding your Accommodation
    Bank or Building Society Details-
    Travel Discount Cards (Young Person's Railcard etc)
    CV & References
    Academic Reading List
    Academic Diary / Wall Planner / Calendar
    Relevant Old Text Books and Notes
    Dictionary
    Thesaurus

    Stationery and Educational Equipment
    Lamp
    Notice or Message Board
    Book Chair-
    again who uses them anymore
    Lined Paper
    Printing Paper
    Jotter or Reporter Pad
    Pens
    Pencils
    Highlighters
    Permanent All-Surface Markers (useful for marking what's yours!)
    White Tack-
    Only buy white tack
    Scissors
    Sellotape
    Hole Puncher
    Stapler
    Treasury Tags
    Paper Clips
    Post-it Notes or Flag Markers
    Sticky-back Labels
    Pins for sticking things to any cork boards provided
    Ruler(s)
    A4 Ring Binders or Lever Arch Folders
    Paper or Plastic Wallets
    Clipboard
    Envelopes & Stamps


    Electrical Appliances-
    What?
    Extension leads Get Surge protected ones to protect valuable equipment
    Computer/Laptop & charger
    USB Pen drive
    CD-R/RW for creating hard back ups
    External Harddrive
    Printer
    Calculator (for finances)
    Alarm Clock
    Mobile Phone & charger
    Landline Phone
    Dont bother if you've got a mobile it'll be cheaper
    CD-player-
    Bring a pc/laptop with speakers instead
    Desk Fan
    Television (You will probably need to purchase a
    TV license).

    Camera mobile might be fine.

    Batteries and charger
    MP3 Player/IPod (with charger and USB connector)
    Speakers and Connector
    Headphones
    DVD Player-
    Again use pc or laptop
    Digibox-
    See televison
    Games consoles
    Hair Dryer
    Hair Straighteners / Curling Tongs
    Iron, perhaps an ironing board but some unis have one for students to use (Small tabletop one, perhaps?)


    Personal Items/Toiletries
    Nail Clippers
    Nail Scissors
    Tweezers
    Deodorant
    Hairbrush / Comb
    Razor
    Body Spray
    Perfume
    Hair Dye
    Hair Products
    Jewellery Box
    Make-up
    Moisturiser
    Prescription Glasses/spare pair (and a copy of your prescription)
    Contacts & contacts solution
    Earplugs
    First Aid Kit
    Prescription Medicines
    Contraception
    Multivitamins
    Painkillers
    Plasters
    Antiseptic Wipes
    Antiseptic Cream
    Blister Plasters
    Cold/Flu Remedy
    Throat Lozenges
    Pro-Plus
    Nytol
    Anti-allergy Tablets
    A Cold/Hot Pack
    Sanitary Towels/Tampons Clothing

    Clothing

    Dressing Gown
    Pyjamas
    Slippers
    Swimwear
    Normal, casual clothing
    Formal wear
    Gym or Sporting Clothes
    School Tie (for the school discos you're BOUND to have!)
    A warm coat, gloves, scarf, hat and a brolly (so many students pack in sunny September and get caught out/cold when Autumn/Winter starts to bite)
    Fancy Dress Items [seriously]
    Clean underwear
    Smart clothing and smart shoes suitable for interviews for part-time jobs
    Bathroom Items
    Hand Towels
    Bath Towels
    Wash Bag
    Toothbrush
    Toothpaste
    Mouthwash
    Floss
    Soap
    Shower gel
    Shampoo
    Conditioner
    Razor/epilator/hair removing equipment-
    havent we allready had that
    Shaving cream
    toilet roll
    Air freshener
    Anti-perspirant/deodorant.

    Bedroom Items

    Bedding
    Sheets
    Duvet/Quilt
    Duvet/Quilt Cover
    Pillows
    Pillow Cases
    Mattress Protector [not only if you have incontinence issues, but if you have a drunken mishap during the night!

    Blanket
    Other Stuff
    Cushions so that your bed is both a bed and a sofa
    Cuddly toys!

    Hot Waterbottle
    Sleeping Bag
    Inflatable Bed
    Airbed Pump
    Alarm Clock
    Take something to eat for your first night's meal, as it might be a bit hectic.
    Kitchen Items
    Appliances: 
    Dont bring any they'll be supplied and you'll soon fall out of favour if your making toast in your bedroo

    Kettle-
    Toaster
    -Dont bother
    Toasted Sandwich Maker
    I brought one never get used
    Equipment
    Small Casserole Dish
    Small Frying Pan
    Wok or Large Frying Pan (with lid)
    Large Saucepan (with lid)
    Small Saucepan (with lid)
    Tin Opener
    Bottle Opener
    Corkscrew
    Vegetable Peeler
    Cheese Grater
    Wooden Spoons or Spatulas
    Masher
    Microwavable Bowl
    Measuring Jug
    Sieve
    Colander
    Chopping Knives
    Chopping Board
    Lemon Squeezer
    Tupperware (plastic) tubs for storing left overs. Write something on the lids and the tubs to prevent them going missing
    Other Kitchen Items
    Glasses (Wine Glasses, Shot Glasses, Pint Glasses, tumblers, high-ball)
    Cutlery (Knives, Forks, Spoons) Tip - Taking just 1 or 2 of everything will encourage you to wash them straight away
    Crockery (Plates, Bowls, Mugs, Cups)
    Apron
    Oven Glove
    Tea Towels
    Baking Foil
    Cling Film
    Sandwich Bags
    Marigolds - Washing up gloves
    Carbon Monoxide Tester
    Bin bags/black or white (plastic) sacks for rubbish and waste.
    Biscuit Tin
    Pizza slicer
    Pair of scissors
    Apple Corer
    Really???
    Laundry and Housekeeping Items
    Febreze
    Washing Powder
    Fabric Softener
    Laundry Bag
    Clothes Horse
    Coat hangers
    Washing up Liquid
    Washing up Sponge/Cloth
    Kitchen Towel
    Toilet Roll
    Cleaning Equipment though often provided by universities
    Decorative

    Photos
    Postcards
    Rug
    Throw
    Cushions
    Beanbag

    Plants

    Miscellaneous
    Loose Change (for washing machines)
    Extra Storage – Boxes, Shelves etc
    Holdall or Weekend Bag
    Torch
    Pen Knife
    Safety Pins
    Small Sewing Kit
    Small Tool Kit
    Matches
    Watch - always good for suddenly realising you've got a lecture in 2 minutes!
    Fan
    Hooks/Sticky Hooks
    Door Wedge
    Tissues
    Lip Balm/ Chap Stick
    Board Games
    Cards
    Balls/ Frisbees
    Sports Equipment
    Umbrella
    Tray
    Recipe Book
    Store Cupboard Ingredients (Oil, Spices, Tin and Packet Food)
    Alcohol. For the love of god take some wine and spirits and invite some neighbours over to make friends!!!
    Money!!
    Small safe for valuables / documents


    There is no honour to be had in not knowing a thing that can be known - Danny Baker
  • leypt1
    leypt1 Posts: 170 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    You have probably already thought about this and have good reasons, but you have pretty good savings and on your salary could actually buy a 1 bed flat in Reading with a 10% deposit

    https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION^1114&maxPrice=150000&propertyTypes=&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=sharedOwnership,retirement&furnishTypes=&keywords=
  • Tokmon
    Tokmon Posts: 628 Forumite
    500 Posts Name Dropper
    RAS said:
    You need to budget for

    Car repairs, MOT etc
    Clothing, although you may be able to restrict this for a couple of years to footwear and undies.
    Entertainment
    Holidays
    Emergency fund

    Remember that you're probably used to using household equipment that your mother owns. Do you have a bottom drawer of kitchen equipment, bedding, DIY stuff, iron, hoover, etc?
    Thanks!! 

    Repairs can be covered with my savings. 
    I've recently bought some new clothes which should last me another 5/10 years. I'm not big on clothes and have been wearing the same things that I bought in school! I also just bought a bunch of undies, some of which are still in the pack so I should be good for a while xD 
    My LISA can act as my emergency fund, I'll take a hit on the withdrawal fee but if I'm desperate it's there. Otherwise I don't really have any other options, I can't keep living at home forever anyway! 
    I don't go on holiday even when we were able to so that's not a problem. 

    Like I said, I've grown up poor so i'm used to not having these things. 

    I have all of my bed stuff, I've bought a lot of kitchen stuff from when I was at university - there are a few things I would need but I can accumulate those before I move in (I'm looking at a September moving date). I'm more concerned about monthly expenses as I can get bits and bobs from family and/or Next Door where sometimes people give things away that they don't need anymore.

    In your OP you haven't budgeted for putting any money into savings so you need to do that otherwise each repair will just end up draining your savings and you could potentially end up with nothing left or having to dip into your LISA.
  • leypt1 said:
    You have probably already thought about this and have good reasons, but you have pretty good savings and on your salary could actually buy a 1 bed flat in Reading with a 10% deposit

    https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION^1114&maxPrice=150000&propertyTypes=&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=sharedOwnership,retirement&furnishTypes=&keywords=
    The problem is, I really don’t want to settle in Reading long term. At the moment it’s just the area that I can afford that’s inbetween my family and my boyfriend/his family. I’ve never lived there before (although my sister did for uni and that’s where I got more acquainted with it). So yeah I don’t know what it’s like to live there and don’t want to commit to long term until I’m sure I’m happy with the area. I’m also at a stage in my job where I’m ready to move up (but golden handcuffs have stopped me so far) and so my salary is likely to increase whereby I could buy something either bigger than a 1 bed or in a nicer area. 

    But yes it’s definitely crossed my mind. I also don’t think I’d be able to afford shared ownership, the rent portion on those properties push the monthly amount quite high from what I can tell 
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You sound very sensible  :)

    I agree with others, do not stop paying into your pension.  If you do you will probably regret it when you get to my age.

    if you need furniture IKEA is good value although not to everyone’s taste.  Freecycle is useful too but your areas anything like mine things have been taken before I can read the emails.  I bought some clothes on eBay during the lockdown and got some amazing bargains.  

    Some of the bigger charities sell furniture and they usually have lots of wardrobes.  

    Let us know how you get on. 

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